Thursday, October 13, 2011

On the weekend of October 8 some of the amazing women and men who work hard to make Natural Parents Network the wonderful community and resource that it is got together for a meet-up at two locations across the U.S. — the Midwest and the Northwest. This was the first time that many of the volunteers have met in person after a year of collaborating on this amazing website. Please scroll to the bottom of this post for a list of links so that you can read what some of the other volunteers had to say about this incredible First Annual Natural Parents Network Team Get-Together!

This past weekend saw two get-togethers of volunteers from Natural Parents Network. One, unfortunately for me, was in Kansas City – I thought about flying out by myself with a four-year-old and four-month-old, but good sense nixed the idea.

We realized we had plenty of volunteers in the Pacific Northwest to make our own meet-up, dang it, so that's what we did!

I'll share a few pictures and stories from our Seattle get-together, and at the bottom of this post is a link-up to all the other volunteers who have chosen to blog about the gatherings. If you're curious about what it's like to meet bloggy friends in real life, read on!

As we were planning our meet-ups, we all had a simultaneous desire to blurt out all the ways we were wrong, and eco-unfriendly, and bad parents, and a total fail — just in case everyone else was all put together and was coming to the get-togethers just to judge us. As it turns out, we all had nothing to fear.

No, instead it was like — finding a tribe. And you never knew it existed right here in your own neck of the woods. It just needed claiming.

I hope we grow closer and have more of these meet-ups, and I hope some of you reading along and yearning for the same will consider joining our NPN Team, volunteering in whatever way you feel led. We would love to include you.

Ok, in lieu of writing a novel, here are some more pictures from the weekend:

Arpita (pronounced AR-pith-a) and Amy (with her family) stayed at my place, which was like having a little slumber party. Woohoo!

Amy got there first, and we were totally talking away when all of a sudden I was like, "What time is it??" And I realized we were late to pick up Arpita, coming in from Victoria on the Clipper. Because we are just that good at being hosts. And she was totally cool with it, because she is that kind of lady.

This picture of Amy, Jaymz, and Daniel is so perfect that I have to pat myself on the back for taking it at the same time I'm laughing. It looks like we took a side trip to JC Penney Photo Studios in the middle of the get-together. I swear, no one is sitting on a velvet-draped, adjustable stool in this photo.

The gathering was at Moorea's house, on the left here shooting the breeze with Kristin. Moorea is pronounced more-RAY-a. I learn so much from these gatherings.

Alrik took his nap while he nursed and I chatted — he never unlatched and I couldn't sit down or he'd wake up!

For no good reason, I now present you with two further pictures:

Sam looking unbearably earnest …

… and Alrik looking irresistibly adorable.

After the gathering, our family went out with Arpita and Amy and her family for a final meal and some celebratory wine from Melodie of Breastfeeding Moms Unite! who sent it over the Puget Sound with Arpita.

To learn more about all the members of the Natural Parents Network team, visit our about page. To become a volunteer for NPN, first please check out what we're in need of, then contact us if you're interested in helping out. Here's information about some of our lovely volunteers, including all of those who are writing about the gathering today:

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comments:

Oh, how I wish I could have been at either one of those gatherings! What great pictures, hilarious captions, and yes, that was a bit confusing/creepy to see Amy at both gatherings. :) So glad you all could do that...sigh...maybe next time.

Thanks for taking all of the fabulous pictures you did. It was sad not to be a part of the live event, but I have so enjoyed looking at these snapshots and all the others. I'm honored to be a part of this "tribe"! xo

Moira was very taken with Mikko (or his toys, it was hard to tell). She was frequently hovering around him watching patiently, which is not her strong suit.I was so excited to meet you. I hope we all don't have to wait a year to meet up again.

I'm suddenly struck with the immense task this must have been to coordinate!! Props to all on that one!Love the photos. I've only seen AMy's so far. You had lots of good extras. The last two of your boys are precious. Mikko is already one of my favorite faces in the world, but that last one of Alrik... Unbelievable!!

How fun! I am trying to get back into developing my relationships with bloggers I love and admire, and hopefully will continue to have time to do that for the next meet-up! :) Time, it is a constantly moving target.

Gar, I wish I could've gone! It looks fun, but there's always next year! AND Arpitha is from Victoria??? Jeepers she's next door to me (sorta) and I was there just two weeks ago...Melodie and I are friends (online) but now I have TWO Victoria NPNer friends. How cool is that?

Next year I need more warning!!! =) And I'm COMING! Come hell or high water...

This is so cool. You ladies are inspirational, amazing, and beautiful! I love this! I really get teary eyed thinking that a community like this has come together just online! There really are wonderful things technology can do when in the hands of amazing mamas.

Like Zoie, I would love to contribute to NPN too. But where do you ladies find the time? Props to you all. For doing all that you do. And thanks :)

Oh--and when did Alrik get so huge and adorable? He has his boy face--the non-newborn one where you can tell what he's going to look like! So cute.

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Riding the rails with my husband, Crackerdog Sam, and our hobo kids, Mikko Lint Picker (born June 2007), Alrik Irontrousers (born May 2011), and Karsten (born October 2014). Trying every day to parent intentionally and with grace.